My pick for game of the week is college football’s Florida Gators/Alabama Crimson Tide.

Because it’s so close to game time I’m not going to give too much analysis or breakdown of the game (do I ever?) and I do apologize for this being up so late. But it’s been a week full of day job, car accident and the Stiletto Sports Holiday Gift Guide!

So why is this game so key? It’s pits the No. 1 ranked team in the country, Florida against the No. 2 ranked team Alabama for the SEC Championship Game. Don’t know what that’s all about? Go read my other post Girl’s Guide to College Football: The FBS, FCS, BCS….OMG! WTF!

Whoever wins this game goes on to the BCS National Title Game. The loser still gets to play in a high profile Bowl Game but doesn’t really have a shot at being declared the national champs.

Oh, and both teams are undefeated this season. So, the dream of a perfect season ends for one of them today.

From ESPN.Com:

It’s college football’s most anticipated matchup since Florida and Oklahoma played in the Bowl Championship Series title game in January. It’s the game people started talking about in the preseason and have been pointing to ever since. And it’s finally here.

“I can’t think of a bigger football game that I’ve been a part of, that we’ve been a part of,” Meyer said Sunday. “College football wants this game. I’ve been hearing it for a long time and trying to ignore it and push it back. Our players have been, too.”

What to expect:

• Wild & Crazy fans
• A fierce battle between Florida QB Tim Tebow and Alabama’s Running Back Mark Ingram since both are in the race for the Heisman Trophy this year
• A coach’s duel. Urban Meyer and Nick Saban are two of college football’s best coaches. This won’t be an easy battle.
• A defensive battle. Both teams excel on defense and they will be fighting hard today, that’s for sure!
• One teams dream of a perfect season and chance at the BCS title game shattered.
• Twitter to be alive with the words “Florida, Gators, Gator Nation, Tim Tebow, Crimson Tide, ‘Bama, Alabama,”

My Pick: I live to close to Gator Nation to not go with Florida. Plus  I heart Tebow.

Recipes for Today’s Matchup

Pre-Game

Crimson Tide Cocktail

• 1/4 oz Southern Comfort
• 1/4 oz Vodka
• 1/4 oz Coconut Rum
• 1/4 oz Raspberry Liqueur
• 1/4 oz Sprite
• 1/4 oz Cranberry Juice
• 1/4 oz Maui Blue Hawaiian Schnapps

Florida Gator-Ade

Before I give you the recipe let me give you my Fascinating Fact of the Game! You know the popular sports drink Gatorade right? Well, it was actually created at the University of Florida in 1965. According to Wikipidia:

The Gators football coach, Ray Graves, was frustrated with the performance of his players during the hot summer football practices, and asked the team doctor who asked the medical researches at UF for some insight. The research team came across the unique mix of water, sodium, sugar, potassium, phosphate, and lemon juice that is now known as Gatorade in honor of the football team, the Gators. The football team credited Gatorade with their first Orange Bowl win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 1967, and the drink became an instant phenomenon. The Yellow Jackets coach Bud Carson, when asked why they lost, replied: “We didn’t have Gatorade. That made the difference.”

Now for a Gator-Ade or Florida Gators Cocktail you can either get your favorite flavor of Gatorade and pour some vodka in it (which I have done in a pinch when there was no other mixer available….on Thanksgiving…..) and it works totally fine, especially the really berry flavored ones.

Or you can try this winning Florida Gator-ade Cocktail recipe

• Vodka – 1 1/2 oz.
• Rum – 1 1/2 oz.
• Orange Schnapps – 1 1/2 oz.
• Sweet & Sour Mix – 1 1/3 oz.
• Fresh Florida Orange Juice – 1/2 oz.

Shake, shake shake!

1st Quarter

The Heart of Gator Nation is known as “the swamp” so I thought the best 1st quarter snack dip would be one called “swamp dip!”

“The Swamp” Dip

• 1/4 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter
• 1 large (1 cup) onion, chopped
• 1 small (1/2 cup) red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh garlic
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup LAND O LAKES™ Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1/2 cup feta cheese with garlic and herbs*
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 1 (10-ounce) package fresh spinach leaves, stems removed, cut into thin strips
• 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• Salt
• Pepper

1. Melt butter in 10-inch skillet until sizzling; add onion, red pepper and garlic. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened (5 to 6 minutes).
2. Stir in flour; continue cooking 1 minute.
3. Add broth and whipping cream.
4. Continue cooking, stirring with wire whisk, until mixture is thickened (2 to 3 minutes).
5. Stir in cheese, yogurt, spinach and hot pepper sauce until spinach wilts and mixture is heated through.
6. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve warm with crackers, bread slices or assorted vegetable sticks.

Alabama Caviar Dip

• 3 (16 ounce) cans black-eyed peas, drained
• 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red pepper
• 3/4 cup finely chopped hot peppers
• 3/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup drained, chopped pimento
• 1 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Tabasco� sauce
• Tortilla chips

Directions

1. Combine peas, bell peppers, hot peppers, onion, pimento and garlic.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil and mustard and pour over the bean mixture; mix well.
3. Season to taste with salt and Tabasco� sauce. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, mash the bean mixture slightly.
4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Drain the “caviar” well and serve with tortilla chip

2nd Quarter

Alabama White BBQ Sauce Wings: I’m adding a link for this recipe because it sounds yummy but since the game features the Crimson Tide, not sure you really want white sauce!

Alabama Crimson Hot Sticky Wings : Now, normally I’m not a fan of BBQ sauce unless it’s grilled or broiled to a nice crispy sweetness. But this sauce is so different. And the best part is that the wings are baked, not fried. The sauce is a delicious blend of reduced pomegranate juice and hot sauce. Warning: you will be a hot sticky mess after eating these, but it’s so worth it! Get the Recipe!

• *  1 1/2 pounds chicken wings, cut at joints and wing tips removed
• * House Seasoning, (1 cup salt, 1/4 cup each of garlic & pepper)
• * 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• * 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• * 1/2 cup tangy, red barbecue sauce
• * 1/4 cup pomegranate juice, reduced by 1/2
• * 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• * 1/4 cup honey
• * 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
• * 2 tablespoons butter
• * Peanut oil, for frying
• * Celery sticks and red bell pepper slices, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Lay the chicken wings out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Season with House Seasoning. Bake for 20 minutes.
3. Saute the garlic in vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until softened and fragrant. Stir in barbecue sauce, reduced pomegranate juice, hot sauce and honey. Bring to a boil then lower and simmer for 15 minutes until thick. If using crushed red pepper flakes, add and cook 30 seconds more. Stir in butter until melted and smooth. Pour into a large mixing bowl.
4. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large Dutch oven to 350 degrees F.
5. Fry the baked wings for 10 minutes until golden and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel lined sheet pan to drain.
6. Toss the fried wings in the red sauce to coat. Transfer to a platter and serve with celery sticks and red bell pepper slices.

Florida Gators Hot & Sticky Orange Wings:

• * 16 chicken wings (about 4 pounds)
• * Salt and black pepper to taste
• * 1 (6-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
• * 1/3 cup water
• * 3 tablespoons honey
• * 2 tablespoons Original TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce

1. Season wings with salt and pepper to taste and place on a broiler pan with a rack. Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat until crisp and golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
2. Meanwhile, combine orange juice concentrate, water, honey, and TABASCO® Sauce in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened and reduced by half.
3. Place chicken in a large bowl or pan and pour orange sauce over them; toss until well coated. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Half-time

The Alabama Dixie Burger

Alabama is famous for their nuts, especially pecans. You can’t hit up the state without gettin’ some pecan pie! This unique burger is made with pecans and peaches, another southern staple!

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1 onion, grated
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup drained canned peaches (chunks)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions:

1. Mix ground beef lightly with pecans, onion, salt, cloves, and 3 T. of the peaches. (Set remaining aside for glaze.)
2. Shape meat into patties about 1″ thick. Broil.
3. While meat cooks, season remaining peaches with brown sugar, vinegar, and ginger.
4. Brush on hot patties; turn; brush again.
5. Broil 6 minutes longer or until meat is done as you like it.

The Florida Gator Burger

• 1     pound ground Florida alligator meat (no alligator? try turkey instead!)
• 1     large egg, lightly beaten
• 2     tablespoons Florida onion, finely chopped
• 1/3     teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2     teaspoon salt
• 1     tablespoon olive oil
• 1     red Florida bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1     green Florida bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1     yellow Florida bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1     Florida onion, sliced
• salt and pepper to taste
• French bread slices or rolls

Preparation

1. Preheat grill. In a bowl, combine alligator meat, egg, onion, salt and pepper, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Mixture will be very moist.
2. Shape into 4 patties, each 1/2-inch thick. Cover and set aside.
3. Heat the oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and pepper strips and sauté until tender. Season to taste; reduce heat and keep warm.
4. Grill meat patties for 10 to 12 minutes over medium heat until cooked through, turning once.
5. Serve open-face on French bread slice or in a roll; top with sautéed onion and peppers.

3rd  Quarter

Boiled Peanuts

This pays homage to both teams actually. Like I mentioned earlier, peanuts and nuts are huge in Alabama. And, you can’t go to a gas station on I-75 in Florida without seeing some boiled peanuts. Yes, they sound disgusting. But I swear they aren’t! Although they are weird at first since the peanuts are soft.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. of fresh and raw peanuts that are still in their shells
• 2 tablespoons of salt
• 1 bag of Zatarain’s Crab and Shrimp Boil
• 1 tablespoon of red pepper (or more, if you are feeling lucky)

Instructions:

• Place the peanuts in a large pot and add enough water to cover them and almost fill the pot.
• Add the salt and stir it real well. Turn the stove to the high heat setting and cover until it boils.
• Add the Zatarain’s and the red pepper.
• Reduce the heat just enough to keep it from boiling over.
• Boil the peanuts for 4 hours. Add water as needed to keep the peanuts covered.
• Drain the peanuts and serve.

Fourth Quarter
Alabama Chocolate Pecan Fudge Pie
* This is a scrumptious, gooey pie. If you want your pie a little more set, bake it 28 minutes.

• * 1-1/4 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
• * 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
• * 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• * 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• * 3 large eggs
• * 1 (12 ounce) package semisweet
• * chocolate morsels, melted
• * 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• * 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
• * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• * 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Combine chocolate crumbs and 1/3 cup melted butter, mixing well. Press into bottom and up sides of an ungreased 9″ pieplate.
2. Bake at 350° for 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Beat 1/2 cup butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add brown sugar, beating well.
4. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition.
5. Stir in melted chocolate and next 4 ingredients.
6. Pour filling into prepared crust.
7. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes; cool completely on rack before serving

Now, go enjoy the game!

About the author: Jennifer Taglione is the owner of this fabulous website Stiletto Sports. Despite writing well over 500 posts, she still maintains that she is not a sports writer! She is however a huge fan of Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Mark Sanchez, the Celtics, and totally kicks butt on March Madness brackets! Connect with her by following her on Twitter @StilettoSportsJ and subscribing to her weekly newsletter. For more info check out the About the Editor page!

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